SHOES NEWS
Hello Stiletto Shoe Club Newsletter
July 2007
PARIS CALLING:
WELCOME SHOE LOVERS
A Visit to Christian Louboutin’s Flagship Shop
Welcome to the first edition of the
by Melissa O'Shea
Shoe Club newsletter. Now in addition
to emails regarding upcoming parties
and events, Shoe Club members will
receive a monthly chronicle of shoe-
related features and articles.
Shoes News discusses current trends in
footwear, hot designers, fun shopping
Flip through the pages of any fashion magazine or
finds, and spotlights a different Shoe
celebrity gossip rag and you'd be hard pressed to
Club member each month.
finish without a glimpse of the signature red sole of a
Christian Louboutin stiletto. Celebrities Christina
To receive Shoes News via email each
Aguilera, Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, and Scarlett
month and enjoy other benefits of
Johansson are just a few of Hollywood's stars sporting
Shoe Club membership, sign up at
the footwear of one of the hottest and most beloved
shoe designers of the moment, Christian Louboutin.
It’s all free!
A visit to Louboutin's website reveals that his obsession
In case you haven’t heard, the Shoe
with shoe design began at a young age with him first
Club is a free social networking club for
selling his work to dance hall patrons at age sixteen.
shoe lovers. Brought together primarily
He's noted for his ultra glamorous and "impossibly
through “shoe parties” that take place
feminine" creations, which often feature fine
monthly in bars and restaurants at
ornamentation such as Swarovski crystals, luxurious silk
locations throughout the country,
fabrics, and a five-inch heel or higher.
members meet up to socialize, show
In late May I had the pleasure of visiting Louboutin's
off their shoes, discuss recent
flagship boutique while vacationing in Paris. The
purchases, and compete in “best
experience was worthy of abundant dramatization.
shoe” competitions. We even have
Here you go.
shopping events and other themed
meet ups.
Map in hand, game face on, husband in tow
(faithfully carrying shopping spoils from an earlier visit
The Shoe Club currently has chapters in
to a flea market), I trudge purposefully through the
Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Naples
streets of Paris; my mission to find Rue Jean-Jacques
Florida and more are coming soon.
Rousseau. My internet investigations have indicated
that Louboutin's original boutique (the one attached
Sign up today and don’t miss the fun.
to his office) is located here. The implication is that
Sincerely,
not many people know about or visit this particular
shop. I feel like a pioneer, someone in the know. My
Melissa O'Shea, President
heart pounding I turn the corner onto the appropriate
Hello Stiletto Shoe Club
street.
781-632-2067
melissa@shoeclub.us
It's an uninspiring scene of gray brick buildings lining
http://www.shoeclub.us
(Continued on page 2)
(Visiting Louboutin… continued from page 1)
each side of the road. I press on in search of #19. Soon, I see something promising. A hot pink glow is
emanating from a location up ahead.
Within seconds I see the flowery signature of the Christian Louboutin logo etched in the window of a
seemingly secret boutique in which rosy walls encase beautiful treasures. Brightly colored shoes in
brilliant blue, scarlet red, rich black, and slick metallic line the insides of the shop. I can't wait to go in.
I do and the shop is fabulous. An elegant woman in a black dress assists me in finding the shoes I
want to try on, running from a stock room next door and back to the posh red chaise lounge on
which I'm perched like a princess. I try on a few pairs including a leopard print T-strap sandal, a royal
blue satin sling back, and simple elegant black pumps. I tell my husband I want them and ask what
we can sell to make it so. He asks sarcastically if I can even walk in them. Please. I sashay to the
mirror and adore myself.
Although I wish I could say I bought several pairs (at 800 Euros a pop) and was then whisked back to
my hotel in a limousine, I actually didn't make a purchase. And we took the Metro home. Someday
I'll be back though, and I'll buy a pair or two then. The anticipation alone, combined with having
visited the shop once in my lifetime, is wonderful enough.
Christian Louboutin shoes can be purchased in the U.S. at Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, and
Saks. The Christian Louboutin web site is www.christianlouboutin.fr
TREND WATCH: NAKED SHOES
by Melissa O'Shea
What's the latest trend in shoes? Nothing. Nothing, as in
shoes that appear not to exist thanks to Lucite heels, acrylic
wedges, clear straps, and other transparent shoe parts.
Maybe it's because of their leg-lengthening properties or
perhaps it's to ensure you'll never have trouble matching
them to any outfit no matter how unusual the color. Either
way, someone has brought these shoes into fashion and I
have to admit, I kinda like them.
Let's face it, Lucite heels really made their debut as stripper
Above: Stuart Weitzman
shoes which really doesn't put them squarely in the couture
Zappos.com
category. Well now designers like Manolo Blahnik, Sergio
Rossi, Christian Louboutin, and even Chanel are bringing
them into a new light. Following suit are other more
mainstream yet vastly popular brands like Nine West.
This month I'll be personally sporting this trend in my new
Left:
Soca Shoes wedges, which are extra special as they are
Christian Louboutin
Neiman Marcus
made by friend and local shoe designer Steve Bednarz,
who’s been known to make an appearance at our Boston
Shoe Parties from time to time. If you’d like to join in the
fun visit www.socashoes.com
Right: Manolo Blahnik
Neiman Marcus
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Who's in the Shoe Club?
Get to know fellow Shoe Club members through our
Member Spotlight segment in which we'll profile a
different Shoe Club member each month. You
could be featured next!
Name: Melissa O'Shea
Current Hometown: Medford, Massachusetts
Age: 36
Occupation: Development Director for the
Melissa O’Shea, Shoe Club Member and Founder
Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis and
Founder of the Hello Stiletto Shoe Club
What I look for in a shoe: I enjoy something unusual -
a shoe in a different color or multiple colors,
something with an interesting pattern or some kind
of quirky ornamentation. On the other hand, I also
really love a simple classically sexy high heel when
done in a rich fabric, with a built in platform (high
vamp), cut low on the sides or left open in a d'Orsay
style to elongate the leg.
Shoe steal (best deal on shoes): A pair of pink and
gold Guiseppe Zanotti's for $65 on Zappos Couture.
Shoe splurge (most spent on shoes): Manolo Blahnik
My Favorite Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Leopard Sedaraby
leopard print Sedaraby pumps purchased at
heels worn by Paris Hilton (per shoebunny.com).
Barneys. Worth every penny.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH:
Lilian Vernon Shoe Tote
If you're like me and hate cramming your precious pumps into the
confines of a tight suitcase when traveling, you'll love this travel
solution for shoes. I purchased one in red that not only looks and
functions great on getaways, but looks cute as a storage solution
as well. Available at lilianvernon.com for only $12.98 per 6-pocket
tote (each pocket holding one pair of shoes.
JOIN THE SHOE CLUB
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